Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-04-16
RESCUED FROM A HAREM,

hApUUlu INUW a QAhGW,
The street which was our regular route to
the ship had gate and a guard house at
either end. Blank walls about twenty feet
high extended some 500 feet along both
sides of the street. Behind these walls
were the palaces of two Of the grand
Pachas. We could only see the windows
of the upper stories; the magni6cence
within was left to our Imagination As
we were walking past, one afternoon, one
of the windows was suddenly thrown open,
and there appeared at it the most beautiful
woman l had ever seen. We were fairly
electrified 10y her beauty. She had defied
well-known edict in showing US her face,
as we knew. Instantly as she appeared
we saw her throw something over the wall.
and then she closed the window 1t was a
note which she had thrown. We all rushed
to pick it up. The prize was won by a
Swedish Captain, who Immediately pocket
ed it.
When we arrived at the landing the
Swedish Captain invited me on board his
ship. We had been so intimate during
our stay here that the rest of the party
could not take offense at this preference :
but how anxious they were to know the
contents of that note | insisted that no
gentlemen could ask, ncr would any di-
vulge' its contents, which Justly belonged
to its captor. Once ON board, the note was
opened, when an agitation seized the Cap
tain, which made him appear to me as a
lunatic.
Captain he said, handing me the
iaI a;r
have proved how much you love your wife.
/ am unmarried, and have fallen desper-
ately il love. Help me by your advice.
What shall do? My ship is ready to sail,
and the wind is fair. l do not own the
vessel or cargo, and therefore have no right
to detain her. Read and tell me what to
do"
As my own marriage had been very ro-
mantle, this affair was doubly exciting to
me. The note was written in a good Eng
lish hand, as follows:
O. know you are Christians, and will
save me from this life of degradation. En-
tombed in this harem, from which there is
no other way of escape, | appeal to you in
mercy to save me. God l know will open
your hearts, give wisdom, and guide you
tomorrow night to silken thread thrown
from this window, near where you found
my note To the thread attach your an
SWST. Dedln dNdllS discovery.
The night was spent in devising means
of rescue. The Captain swore upon the
Bible that he would marry her if rescued,
and if she would consent. Jewels are most
priced when most difficult to obtain. l was
in full sympathy with his feelings, and
when the day broke our plan of action had
been determined. l saw that he was IN
fitted to go to sea, his head being entirely
turned, and to ease his conscience upon the
point of his duty, l pointed out that the
interest of all parties would be served best
if he should defer his departure until the
dark moon, when the plan devised could
be put into operation. This would neces-
state delay of five days.
Among our friends we were to pretend
that no importance attached to the missive
which the lady had thrown out. AS rea-
son for his delay in not sailing, the Swed-
ish Captain was to say that he had discov-
cred q leak in his ships top side after he
had loaded her, which made it necessary
to careen her for repairs. 1t required much
tact to avoid the Captains with whom we
had been in daily company, and to make
excuses to stay ashore, late every night.
We stayed ashore to become acquainted
with the guards, whom we thought we
could induce, by appearing to be halt drunk
and liberal use of money, to open the
gates for US at any time. The first night
we half-staggered up TO the gate, handed
the guards one hundred piasters, and then
showed them our empty pockets, where
upon they allowed us to pass through the
gate, pointing to their hearts TO assure US
that no one should pass that way to modest
u.s. Each of us carried the usual paper
lantern to illuminate the way, and We
were well armed with pistols and cutlasses
During the day we had paced the distance
from the gate to the spot where we might
expect to find the thread, and we now had
but to pace of the same number of steps
in the darkness. During the day also We
had not failed TO show ourselves frequently
in the street, to let the prisoner know thai
we meant to communicate with her.
We found the thread and attached our
note of reply, first putting out our lights
to avoid discovery. Softly pulling the
thread, we felt gentle strain in reply, and
the note was pulled up, to reach, we
prayed, the hands of her who so anxlously
awaited il. On our return TO the gate il
was Immediately opened when we had
knocked, and the guard had recognized oul
English voices.
Our letter to the lady contained the fol
lowing:
"on the fifth night, counting from to
morrow, we will rescue you by rope lad
der. At o'clock we will attach strons
line to the end of your cord. Pull this un
Ill the ladder reaches you. The line vii
be sufficiently strong to bear your weight
Place the line over hook or post, but d.
NOT make it fast. We will hold the end
so fear not. The line will be withdraw
after your descent, so that no one will dis
cover the manner of your escape. Their
will be no moon. Before day-break yol
will be on a vessel under way fer England
IF Won can devise any other means, or hav
any suggestions to make, you can commun
icate as before; we will pass nightly. unit
we have some token from you. We ar
two who have sworn to save you. One c
ms will ascend 10 assist in your descent,
you desire 1t. May goo, 10 wneIn yo
have PRAYED, nerve you to your task.
The next night we received the follow
ing answer:
/ will provide the ladder, which yo
will mil toward YOU by the cord. | hav
a trusted eunuch who will assist me- 8
his life belongs to me. Think well of th
danger. l have no right tc place you
ieopardv. In case of discovery rop
ladder upon you would prove your. guilt
YOU would be seized and disposed OF, non
would know how, except the headsmar
Your crime and mine are punishable b
death. Ny life is nothing, nor would
he missed. but you have loved ones G
home. Should you change your minds o
tbe night appointed, God have mercy upo
mel / will not live to see the light al
other day. / have often meditated tn
act | have felt that God, to whom
always PRAYED, would deliver me, and th,
wonId be allowed to thank Him in n
sanctuary. If you do not find the cord; yo
NAV know that l have been betrayed. .
ali is safe. the cord will be weighted wit
a silken purse containing jewels to rewaI
YOU and to assist me in my escape. Shout
Won not find this token, it will be becaus
have been discovered. Then be on yor
guard against a as; IS / 81 shaii u
Nv friend. Captain Il, had falls
most desperately in love. say desperatel
hacause he neither slept, ate nor drank; n
would he give me any rest. 1t was reassu
thought tho myself the only one who could